Goldwater is holding its ground, though, in the wake of the attack by Bettman, who used a trip to Glendale, Ariz., Tuesday, to, among other things, accuse Goldwater of playing games by not agreeing to discuss the deal in private.

"It sounds like commissioner Bettman is playing a game of his own: Hide the ball," Goldwater president Darcy Olsen said in a news release, maintaining the organization's position that the deal appears to flout Arizona law.

"The NHL is negotiating a deal to sell the Dallas Stars right now, and no taxpayer money appears to be on the table," Olsen said. "The Goldwater Institute is trying to protect citizens who don't have the resources to fight city hall."

Goldwater has threatened to sue the City of Glendale if it goes through with a bond sale to raise $100 million for Hulsizer's purchase.

The threat of a lawsuit has stalled the sale of the bonds, jeopardizing Hulsizer's takeover bid and making it more likely the NHL will be forced to relocate the Coyotes.

"We are not anxious to sue Glendale, which would be a further waste of tax dollars," Olsen said. "We hope the city will abide by the law and render further legal action unnecessary."